Lynbrook full of young talent

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The Lynbrook girls’ soccer team finds itself in a midst of a slump following a promising start, but is poised to rediscover its winning ways as the youthful roster continues to jell.

The Lady Owls, who won just two games last season, began the campaign with a 2-0 victory over Valley Stream North and a 1-1 draw against West Hempstead. But they have since struggled as they began their conference portion of the schedule with losses against Mepham (3-0), Kennedy (5-2) and MacArthur (4-0), the top three teams in Conference AB2.

Coach Lisa Gallo is preaching patience with her young roster and believes that success could come once the players become more familiar with their teammates. Seven of the 11 starters are underclassmen.

“We are a young team, that’s what it really comes down to,” she said. “We’re learning how to play together. We still have plenty of season left and we’re working very hard each practice and [will] begin to show improvement as the season goes on.”

Senior Jade Fixon-Owoo, a versatile player who can play both up front and as a midfielder, keyed the Lady Owls’ lone win of the season with a goal in the 68th minute and an assist on Alyssa Campos’ tally two minutes later. Gallo has high hopes for Fixon-Owoo this season after she keyed last year’s first-round playoff win over Valley Stream North with a breakaway goal with four minutes left in overtime for a 2-1 triumph.

“Jade is a great playmaker,” Gallo said. “She steps up in those moments when we need her. In our playoff game last season, she put the team on her back. She’s that kind of player.”

Freshman Olivia Vuotto has not let the spotlight of the varsity level affect her and is pacing the team with two goals. At the beginning of the season, Gallo noticed a unique talent her young star had that could give defenses fits for years to come.

“I wasn’t even sure when the season first started whether she was a lefty or righty,” she recalled. “She is technically a righty, but uses both feet as strong as the other and is accurate as the other. She’s very exciting to watch.”

Gallo is also pleased with her defensive corps, with senior Katie Bamman leading three other sophomores in fellow center-back Kayla Schwizer and outside backs Sarah Fava and Leanna Sullivan. Another sophomore, Kathryn Postiglione, has stopped 29 shots in the first five games and Gallo expects her to be even better as the season progresses.

The Lady Owls hope to bounce back this week with games against Plainedge and Cold Spring Harbor, the two teams that are just ahead of them in the standings, before a home date against Malverne/East Rockaway this Saturday. The fate of the season could rest on those games because tough road rematches at Mepham, Kennedy and MacArthur immediately follow.

“This week will be big for us,” Gallo said. “I’m hoping to get some wins out of this week.”